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Understanding Infectious Diseases Among Drug Users: Risks and Harm Reduction Strategies

This presentation by Catherine Kroll, MPH, CPH, explores the vital relationship between substance use and infectious diseases. It highlights how drug users are more susceptible to infections, including airborne, bloodborne, and sexually transmitted pathogens. The talk emphasizes the importance of understanding transmission dynamics, respecting classmates, and embracing principles of harm reduction. It also addresses factors influencing infection risk, cultural competence, and actionable steps to mitigate these risks while maintaining an open mind in discussions about sex and health.

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Understanding Infectious Diseases Among Drug Users: Risks and Harm Reduction Strategies

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  1. ACED 170Air & Blood borne Pathogens Catherine Kroll, MPH, CPH

  2. What are some infectious diseases drug users get?

  3. Why do you need to know about infectious diseases?

  4. Expectations • Respect classmates and instructor • Open mind • Principles of harm reduction • Sex • Cultural competence

  5. Infection • Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms (pathogen) in body tissues • Being infected does not necessarily mean that you can transmit the pathogen

  6. Contagious • When a person with is infected with a disease and able to spread that disease to other people. • Some diseases are more easily spread than others • Factors in this • Way it is transmitted • The number of organisms required to infect a person to the point of causing disease • Individual Immune Systems

  7. Immunocompromised • When a person’s immune system is not operating at optimal capacity • Examples of Factors • Infection • Cancer • Medications

  8. Airborne Pathogen • Disease that is spread through air • Sneezing • Coughing • Respiratory secretions • Examples • TB • Pertussis • Common Cold

  9. Who is at risk for airborne diseases?

  10. Bloodborne Pathogen • Disease spread through direct contact with blood of an infected person • Needles Stick • Needle Sharing • Rough sex • Examples • HIV • Hep B • Hep C

  11. Who is at risk for bloodborne pathogens

  12. Sexually Transmitted Pathogen • Pathogen spread through sexual contact • Penal-vaginal sex • Insertive anal sex • Receptive anal sex • Oral sex • MSM=Men who have sex with men • Examples • HIV • Hep B • Chlamydia • Gonorrhea

  13. Relationship between substance abuse and some infectious diseases • People who use drugs are more likely to acquire infectious diseases • Steps can be taken to reduce their risk • Even if they are still using

  14. This week in the News/Journals • HIV transmission dynamics • Mississippi Child Not Cured

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